To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about planned redundancies in the Army.

As indicated in my answer to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 20 July 1993, Official Report, column 191, the Army invited applications from volunteers for the third phase of its redundancy programme which implements the reduction in the size of the Army under proposals first announced in 1990. These applications have now been considered against the requirement to achieve the required size of the Army for the nineties while retaining the right age and skill structure for the future, taking account of the manpower addback announced by the Secretary of State on 1 December last year. A total of 720 officers and 6,295 soldiers have now been selected for redundancy in 1994–95. Some 85 per cent. of these have volunteered for redundancy, but it will be necessary to select 142 officers and 953 soldiers for compulsory redundancy. All those selected for redundancy will be notified on 24 February 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to gift equipment to the Belize defence force as part of the future plan for British forces in Belize.

As part of our continuing programme of assistance in Belize, my Department has identified a substantial package of equipment which we plan to hand over to the Government of Belize, once it is no longer needed by British forces based there. We expect the provision of this equipment will greatly assist in the development of the Belize defence force. In accordance with normal practice, my Department has today laid before the House a departmental minute giving notice of our intention to make this gift.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will invite tenders for the landing platform dock replacements; and when he expects to place the contract.

Project Definition studies for the landing platform dock—replacement—are due to complete this spring when we will make a decision on the issue of an invitation to tender for the design and build of the first of class. A contract has recently been awarded for further project definition work on the command system for the vessel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many common new generation frigates he plans to order.

The Government plan to replace the type 42 destroyer with the common new generation frigate around the turn of the century and intend to replace fully the capability currently provided by the type 42 destroyers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to commence the project definition phase for the replacement of the Invincible class aircraft carriers; and when these replacements will come into service.

Under current plans, the Royal Navy's Invincible class aircraft carriers will continue in service well into the next century. Although concept studies for a replacement have commenced, project definition work is unlikely to begin before the end of the decade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the present locations of HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid.

HMS Fearless is currently engaged in amphibious exercises off the Scottish coast. HMS Intrepid is at present held in a state of extended readiness at Portsmouth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the (a) RFA O class, (B) T class and (c) Rover class fleet auxiliaries have been in service with the Royal Navy; and what plans he has to procure new fleet auxiliary vessels.

The information is as follows:

(a) The RFA 0 class consists of two fleet tankers, one of which came into service in 1965, the other in 1966;

(b) The RFA T class are no longer in service with the Royal Navy;

(c) The RFA ROVER class consists of three fleet tankers, one of which came into service in 1970, the other two came into service in 1974.

In addition to the two new auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, Fort George and Fort Victoria, which are due to enter service in the next few months, we expect to invite tenders shortly for a feasibility study for the replacement of the O class front-line tankers. The study will look at a wide range of procurement options, with the replacement ships currently planned to enter service around the turn of the century. Additionally, a suitable tanker taken up from trade is planned to enter service before the end of the decade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Ark Royal will commence refit.

HMS Ark Royal is not scheduled for her next refit for some years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the vessels in the Royal Navy that are currently operational, including fleet auxiliaries; and what was the date of construction of each vessel.

As construction dates are not readily available, the attached list of vessels currently operational gives either the date vessels were accepted from builders by the Royal Navy or the royal fleet auxiliary—new build vessels—or the date ships were commissioned—vessels taken up from trade.

Ship	Date of acceptance
Invincible Class Carrier (CVS)
Invincible	March 1980
Illustrious	June 1982
Ark Royal	June 1985
Assault Ship (LPD)
Fearless	November 1965
Intrepid	March 1967
Type 42 Destroyer
Birmingham	November 1976
Newcastle	February 1978
Glasgow	March 1979
Cardiff	September 1979
Exeter	August 1980
Southampton	August 1981
Nottingham	December 1982
Liverpool	May 1982
Manchester	November 1982
Gloucester	May 1985
Edinburgh	July 1985
York	March 1985
Leander Class Frigate
Andromeda	December 1968
Type 21 Frigate
Active	June 1977
Avenger	April 1978
Type 22 Frigate
Broadsword	February 1979
Battleaxe	December 1979
Brilliant	April 1981
Brazen	June 1982
Boxer	September 1983
Beaver	July 1984
Brave	February 1986
London	February 1987
Sheffield	March 1988
Coventry	July 1988
Cornwall	February 1988
Cumberland	November 1988
Campbeltown	February 1989
Chatham	November 1989
Type 23 Frigate
Norfolk	November 1989
Argyll	April 1991
Lancaster	November 1991
Marlborough	March 1991
Iron Duke	July 1992
Monmouth	April 1993
Montrose	September 1993
Westminster	November 1993
Resolution Class SSBN
Resolution	October 1967
Repulse	October 1968
Renown	February 1969
Vanguard Class SSBN

Ship	Date of acceptance
Vanguard	September 1993
Valiant Class SSN
Valiant	July 1966
Swiftsure Class SSN
Sovereign	July 1974
Superb	November 1976
Sceptre	March 1978
Spartan	October 1979
Splendid	May 1981
Trafalgar Class SSN
Trafalgar	July 1983
Turbulent	August 1984
Tireless	October 1985
Torbay	March 1987
Trenchant	February 1989
Talent	May 1990
Triumph	November 1991
Upholder Class SSK
Upholder	December 1990
Unseen	July 1991
Ursula	June 1992
Unicorn	July 1993
Hunt Class MCMV
Brecon	December 1979
Ledbury	March 1981
Cattistock	March 1982
Cottesmore	May 1983
Brocklesby	October 1982
Middleton	July 1984
Dulverton	October 1983
Bicester	February 1986
Chiddingfold	July 1984
Atherstone	November 1986
Hurworth	June 1985
Berkeley	November 1987
Quorn	January 1989
Sandown Class MCMV
Sandown	March 1989
Inverness	February 1991
Cromer	November 1991
Walney	August 1992
Bridport	June 1993
Island Class OPV
Orkney	January 1977
Shetland	May 1977
Guernsey	September 1977
Lindisfarne	January 1978
Anglesey	April 1979
Alderney	August 1979
Castle Class OPV
Leeds Castle	August 1981
Dumbarton Castle	March 1982
Bird Class Patrol Craft
Red pole	August 1967
Kingfisher	October 1975
Cygnet	July 1976
Peacock Class Patrol Craft
Peacock	October 1983
Plover	April 1984
Starling	June 1984
River Class Patrol Craft
Blackwater	June 1985
Itchen	June 1985
Orwell	November 1985
Spey	April 1986
Arun	May 1986

Ship	Date of acceptance
Ton Class Patrol Craft
Wilton	June 1973
Archer Class Patrol Craft
Archer	August 1985
Example	September 1985
Explorer	January 1986
Biter	February 1986
Smiter	February 1986
Pursuer	February 1988
Blazer	March 1988
Dasher	June 1988
Express	February 1988
Puncher	July 1988
Charger	July 1988
Exploit	July 1988
Ranger	August 1988
Trumpeter	February 1988
Survey Flotilla
Hecla	September 1965
Herald	October 1974
Bulldog	March 1968
Beagle	March 1968
Roebuck	August 1986
Gleaner	December 1983
Britannia	January 1954
Endurance	2November 1991
RFA
Landing Ships Logistic
Sir Bedivere	May 1967
Sir Geraint	June 1967
Sir Tristram	September 1967
Sir Percivale	March 1968
Sir Galahad	November 1987
Aviation Training Ship
Argus	2March 1988
Fleet Replenishment Ships
Resource	June 1967
Fort Grange	April 1978
Fort Austin	June 1979
Fort Victoria	March 1993
Fort George	March 1993
Large Fleet Tankers
Olwen	October 1965
Olna	April 1966
Small Fleet Tankers
Grey Power	April 1970
Gold Rover	March 1974
Black Rover	August 1974
Support Tankers
Brambleleaf	2April 1980
Bayleaf	1March 1982
Orangeleaf	1May 1984
Oakleaf	1August 1986
Forward Repair Ship
Diligence	2March 1984
1 Vessel on long-term charter—date given is commissioning date.
2 Vessel taken up from trade—date given is commissioning date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts were placed by his Department in the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93; and how many were subject to increases in cost caused by delays.

The number of headquarters contracts placed by my Department is as follows:

Financial year	Number
1991–92	73,326
1992–93	79,593

Information as to the numbers of contracts subject to increases in cost caused by delays is not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the annual Royal Marine arctic warfare exercise is not to be held in Norway this year; where it will be held: at what saving to public funds; whether he plans to resume Royal Marine exercising in Norway in 1995; and if he will make a statement.

The annual Royal Marine arctic warfare training exercise is currently taking place in north Norway: 42 Commando Group is participating, with Sea King helicopters from 846 Naval Air Squadron, and the royal fleet auxiliary ships, Sir Tristram, Sir Galahad and Sir Bedivere. The training will culminate in 42 Commando Group participating in the Norwegian Brigade North exercise Arctic Express. On current plans, the annual training will continue in 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 February, Official Report, column 112, what further delay has arisen to the deployment of HMS Birmingham to the Adriatic as a result of the failure of her Sea Dart system; what are the operational implications for the carrier group of the continued detachment of HMS Coventry to embargo operations; and if he will make a statement.

HMS Birmingham's departure for the Adriatic was delayed by a further six days because of problems relating to her Sea Dart missile system. HMS Coventry will continue to fulfil her Stanavforlant duties until HMS Birmingham's imminent arrival in theatre. HMS Coventry's continuing detachment has no operational implications for the carrier group as she would be released for national tasks if required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 February, Official Report, column 112, what has been the outcome of the discussions between the United Nations, Croatian customs authorities and the master of RFA Sir Geraint over the error in the ship's manifest relating to munitions; whether any costs fall to be paid by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

This matter was resolved following discussions between United Nation's officials and the Croatian Government; no blame has ben attributed to the Master of RFA Sir Geraint. The incident did not result in any costs being incurred by Her Majesty's Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to send additional British troops to Vitez; and if he will make a statement.

There are no. current plans to send additional British Troops to Vitez.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to discuss the deployment of additional military forces in Bosnia with his NATO and UN counterparts; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will continue to discuss the possible deployment of additional forces in Bosnia with his NATO and UN counterparts. It remains our view that contributions to the United Nations force in Bosnia should be drawn from a wide range of countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 519, what requests he has received from the United Nations for the provision of mortar-locating radar; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom, together with a number of other nations, has received a request from the UN to provide military personnel and equipment to help support the demilitarisation of Sarajevo. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 17 February 1994, the British Government has agreed, a part of its assistance package, to provide a 60-strong Cymbeline mortar-locating troop. The troop deployed from the United Kingdom, through Vitez to arrive in Sarajevo on 22 February 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 519, what detailed information he has relating to the deployment of Dutch, Malaysian and Pakistani forces in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement.

We understand that the Dutch, Malaysian and Pakistani troop deployments in support of UNPROPOR in the former Yugoslavia are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 519, if he will give details of all of the contacts he has had with his NATO counterparts relating to the situation in Bosnia in the last 14 days; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had a number of contacts with his counterparts during the last 14 days to discuss the situation in Bosnia. In particular, on 21 February he met the Defence Ministers of the United States, France, Italy, and the Netherlands in Aviano, Italy, to review the operational readiness of their forces, the rules of engagement, and the plans for co-ordination between NATO air units and UNPROFOR ground units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date and at what time he first learned of the offer by the Russian Government to deploy additional troops to the Sarajevo area; and if he will make a statement.

During the visits of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to Russia, they held discussions with Mr. Yeltsin and Mr. Grachev at which the Russian administration indicated its willingness to co-operate with the United Nations and assist UNPROFOR in its task. The possibility of contributing Russian troops to maintain the ceasefire and assist with the demilitarisation of Sarajevo was also discussed, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was informed of these discussions on their return.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any weapons-grade nuclear material is stored or stockpiled at any defence establishment on behalf of an overseas ally.

No weapons-grade nuclear material is stored or stockpiled at any defence establishment in the United Kingdom on behalf of an overseas ally.

To ask the Attorney-General how many appeals have been made concerning unduly lenient sentences on people convicted in race-related cases.

Sentences imposed for offences involving the incitement of racial hatred contrary to part III of the Public Order Act 1986 are not subject to my power of review under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimates his Department has made of the money saved by the recent changes to eligibility for legal aid.

It was estimated that in the current year expenditure would be £43 million lower than it otherwise would have been as a result of the eligibility changes. Volumes of legal aid certificates issued and green form bills paid are in line with estimates.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many children aged nine years or above were represented in proceedings by the Official Solicitor in the latest year for which figures are available; how many of them are known to have requested alternative representation; and what were the results of their requests.

Between 1 January and 31 December 1993 the Official Solicitor represented 537 children aged nine years or above in family proceedings. Although the precise number who sought alternative representation could be established only at disproportionate cost, it is known that 15 children made such requests. Of these, eight were accepted and separate representation approved by the court, four were not proceeded with, two are still pending and one was rejected by the court on the grounds that the child was not competent to instruct his own solicitor.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 21 February; and if she will make a statement.

I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting of the Agriculture Council, which concluded its business on 21 February.The Council had a first discussion of the 1994 farm price proposals. The discussion was televised and relayed direct to representatives of the press. I expressed the United Kingdom's initial reaction to the proposals, noting in particular the need for the Council's decisions to accord with budgetary discipline. The Council will examine the proposals in greater detail at its next session.The Council adopted unanimously two decisions permitting France and Italy to pay national aids for wine distillation in the 1993–94 marketing year. I took the opportunity to obtain confirmation from Commissioner Steichen that the Commission had initiated the procedure to confirm that one of the French national aids to the pig sector was incompatible with the treaty, and I pressed him to act quickly on the other.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to ensure that additional resources will be made available to the nature conservation agencies for monitoring the special interest of special areas of conservation under the EC habitats and species directive.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21 February,

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of poisoning from (a) comfrey and (b) comfrey products have occurred for each year since 1983 and until the end of 1992; and if she will list the number of cases of poisoning reported each month during 1993 and the latest available figures for 1994.

I have been asked to reply.There have been no reports of poisoning attributed to comfrey or comfrey products in England. However, comfrey contains substances known to cause liver damage and there have been reports in international literature of disease associated with its consumption. The national poisons information service has recorded 16 inquiries about the possible effects of exposure to comfrey or its products since 1983.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the financial and business sector in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) each region in each year between 1983 and 1993.

This information can be obtained from the NOMIS database which is accessible in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect on companies in receivership of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

The regulations give effect to the EC acquired rights directive. The directive and the regulations are both capable of applying to transfers of businesses or parts of businesses in receivership as well as to solvent undertakings. Insolvency practitioners have made many representations about the adverse effect of the regulations on the prospects for the sale of all or part of an insolvent business, whereby businesses which might otherwise have been rescued have been liquidated and jobs have been lost. The Government believe that this is a clear example of EC legislation having a detrimental effect on employment and have brought this to the attention of the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what studies his Department has undertaken of the scope and effect of minimum wage legislation in the United States of America.

None. In the United States of America individual states are free to set minimum wage rates above those provided under the Fair Labor Standards Acts 1938. This arrangement has resulted in a range of different minimum rates being set. Therefore, there is no single statutory minimum rate in the United States of America.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the 1990 Rothschild report on coal privatisation.

The contract with N. M. Rothschild and Sons Ltd. for the provision of financial advice on coal privatisation commenced in May 1991. On grounds of commercial confidentiality, the cost of individual pieces of work in not released. Total expenditure by the Department of Energy in connection with the privatisation of the coal industry in 1991–92 was £3.3 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated total cost of preparing the coal industry for privatisation.

Expenditure in connection with the privatisation of the coal industry in 1991–92 and 1992–93 was £3·3 million, including VAT, and £3·5 million, including VAT, respectively. Provision for 1993–94 is £14·3 million, including VAT. The privatisation budget for 1994–95 has still to be decided.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of the British Coal redundancy scheme from October 1992 to date.

The cost of redundancy arrangements is a matter for British Coal.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the enhanced redundancy payments currently paid by British Coal will continue beyond the end of March 1994; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 22 February 1994]: I have informed British Coal that the Government are prepared to fund the current redundancy terms for miners until 30 April 1994 and, where redundancies are proposed before 30 April, for so long as the consultations with the unions on any such proposal continue.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the prospects for the British steel industry.

The United Kingdom steel industry is now one of the most efficient in the world. Strict implementation of the state aids package and monitoring arrangements agreed at the 17 December Industry Council is essential to eradicate illegal subsidies and to ensure the prosperity and growth of efficient EC producers, including the United Kingdom industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning price fixing in the steel industry in the European Union as it affects the United Kingdom.

[holding answer 22 February 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave in the House to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 16 February 1994, Official Report, column 945.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the ending of the iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme arrangements for redundant steel workers; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 22 February 1994]: I received representations from a range of interested parties including the steel industry and its representative bodies, trades unions, local authorities and hon. Members and Members of the European Parliament. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the then hon. Member for Eastleigh on 27 January 1994, Official Report, column 369.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the level of overseas investment into the United Kingdom for each year since 1970 at constant prices.

Reliable price deflators for overseas investment are not available. Figures for gross investment into the United Kingdom are also not available. Information is available only for net investment at current prices.This information up to 1991 is contained in the Pink Books 1973, 1983 and 1993, United Kingdom balance of payments, published by the Central Statistical Office; copies are available in the Library of the House.The information for 1992 and the first nine months of 1993 is as follows:

Net overseas investment in the United Kingdom1 current prices
£ million
	Direct	Portfolio	Total
1992	10·3	20·5	230·9
31993	8·5	29·1	37·6
1 Net of disinvestment in the United Kingdom by overseas investors.
2 Discrepancy between total and its constituent elements due to rounding.
3 January to September.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what study he has made of (a) excessive costs to consumers, (b) costs to the plug manufacturers and (c) safety problems arising from the imposition in Britain of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation—CENELEC—standards for electrical plugs and wiring.

My Department has commissioned an independent analysis of the costs and benefits for the United Kingdom, including consumers and plug manufacturers, of the proposed harmonisation. The final report from the consultants will be published shortly to form a basis for wider consultation. My Department is participating in the CENELEC discussions to ensure that United Kingdom consumer safety is not compromised.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to revise plug and socket safety regulations; what representations he has received from the EC Commission about the proposal to require all electrical appliances to be sold with plugs; what evidence he has of safety hazards if they are not so sold; and if he will make a statement.

The announcement last year by the then Minister for Consumer Affairs of the intention to introduce regulations that would require most domestic appliances to be fitted with a plug before they are supplied to a consumer has been welcomed, although the European Commission has sought clarification on the possible impact on intra-Community trade. I am hopeful that these matters will be resolved shortly.Each year an average of three people die because of an incorrectly fitted plug and 300 people require hospital treatment for injuries received from fitting plugs to electrical appliances.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what effect the change in the terms of trade for finished manufactures has had on (i) imports and exports of motor cars and (ii) output and unemployment in the United Kingdom car industry since 1973; and what has been the import penetration into the United Kingdom car market in (a) 1973, (b) 1979 and (c) 1993.

There is no detailed information on the effect that the change in terms of trade for finished manufactures has had on the motor car industry. Information on the terms of trade and overseas trade is regularly published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 16 February 1994, Official Report, columns 829–30.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent in the Greater London region on the enterprise initiative since its inception.

Total payments on enterprise initiative consultancy projects in the London region from the launch of the consultancy scheme in 1988 to the end of 1993 amounted to £24·9 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of domestic manufacturing industry was owned by foreign companies, in each year since 1979.

The percentages of United Kingdom manufacturing industry owned by overseas companies are given in the table. It shows the percentages of industry accounted for by overseas registered companies and by United Kingdom subsidiaries of overseas registered companies. Such subsidiaries are defined as companies where the composition of the board of directors is controlled by an overseas registered company or where an overseas company holds more than 50 per cent. of the equity share capital.

	Gross value added at factor cost	Total sales and work done	Employment
1979	21·4	22·8	15·1
1980	1—	1—	1—
1981	18·3	19·4	14·9
1982	1—	1—	1—
1983	18·6	20·4	14·5
1984	20·2	21·3	14·8
1985	18·7	20·3	14·0
1986	17·3	19·4	13·0
1987	18·8	21·0	13·4
1988	18·2	20·7	13·1
1989	21·1	24·1	14·9
1990	21·8	25·2	16·1
1991	21·7	25·5	17·2
1 Prior to 1984 these data were collected biennially: consequently, information for 1980 and 1982 is not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the number of people who have been refused insurance or reinsurance because of claims arising from river flooding.

None. This is a matter for the commercial judgment of insurance companies, with which the Government cannot interfere. However, I understand that the Association of British Insurers, to which the hon. Member has also written, is investigating these concerns.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of the document deposited in the Vote Office of the House entitled "Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill—An Explanatory Guide" were printed; where else it was sent or made available; what information this document contained which was not also printed as part of the explanatory and financial memorandum on the face of the Bill; why this guide contained no source of authorisation, date, printer, publisher, or official catalogue number; and by whom and for what reason it was authorised for publication.

Since publication of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill, the document "Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill—An Explanatory Guide" has been available in the Vote Office and from the Department.Approximately 4,000 copies of the document were made. Of these, approximately 3,500 have been distributed. Approximately 500 were made available in the Vote Office. The remainder were given, after the Bill was published, to the press and to individuals and organisations known to have an interest in the Bill, or have been given, on request, to members of the public, consumer and business organisations.It is normal practice to publish such a document for long or complex Bills. The document contained a fuller explanation of the provisions of the Bill than the explanatory and financial memorandum, giving background information which would not have been appropriate for inclusion in the EFM, such as the Government's proposals for parliamentary scrutiny of orders made under chapter 1 of the Bill. The source and date of the document were omitted by an oversight. However, all copies distributed, other than through the Vote Office, were accompanied by material which made clear the source of the document.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the schemes his Department operates to assist staff facing financial hardship following a transfer, showing (a) the particular criteria and rules applying to each one, including the circumstances under which any loans can be written off, (b) the total amount loaned or granted under the schemes in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94 and (c) the number of staff assisted in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94.

The Department has a number of discretionary arrangements, delegated from Her Majesty's Treasury, which it can use in cases where a staff transfer in the public interest would lead to proven financial hardship. These arrangements include interest-bearing and interest-free loans; in highly exceptional cases there is provision for write-off. The arrangements are administered bearing in mind the cost to the taxpayer.To provide the details requested would entail disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many deep mines were in production in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) the United Kingdom in each year since 1964.

The numbers of British Coal deep mines in production at 31 March in each year since 1964 were as follows:

Year	England	Wales	Scotland	United Kingdom
1964	386	103	87	578
1965	365	92	77	534
1966	334	82	67	483
1967	305	75	58	438
1968	263	66	47	378
1969	223	57	37	317
1970	213	54	32	213
1971	207	53	32	292
1972	204	53	32	289
1973	199	53	29	281
1974	185	50	24	259
1975	178	46	22	246
1976	176	45	21	241
1977	174	44	20	238
1978	172	40	19	231
1979	167	39	17	223
1980	165	38	16	219

Year	England	Wales	Scotland	United Kingdom
1981	160	36	15	211
1982	149	35	14	198
1983	143	35	13	191
1984	131	30	9	170
1985	130	30	9	169
1986	105	19	9	133
1987	89	15	8	110
1988	78	12	4	94
1989	74	10	2	86
1990	65	7	1	73
1991	59	5	1	65
1992	45	4	1	50
1993	37	2	1	40

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of coal production expressed in million tonnes from deep mines in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) the United Kingdom for each year since 1964.

The information requested is as follows:

Coal production (million tonnes)1
Year	England	Wales	Scotland	United Kingdom
1964	151·9	21·8	16·1	189·8
1965	14·1	19·3	15·7	183·1
1966	137·6	18·6	14·9	171·1
1967	135·2	17·9	14·6	167·7
1968	130·5	16·1	13· 1	159·7
1969	120·2	14·3	12·0	146·6
1970	109·3	16·1	11·3	136·7
1971	111·2	12·6	12·7	136·5
1972	89·1	9·9	10·0	109·1
1973	99·3	10·1	10·6	120·0
1974	83·1	8·1	8·8	100·0
1975	98·5	8·9	10·1	117·4
1976	92·0	8·7	9·6	110·3
1977	90·1	8·3	8·7	107·1
1978	90·6	8·6	8·3	107·5
1979	90·9	8·7	8·2	107·8
1980	95·5	8·8	8·2	112·4
1981	94·4	8·6	7·5	110·5
1982	91·0	8·2	6·9	106·2
1983	87·6	8·0	6·2	101·7
1984	32·5	1·8	1·0	35·2
1985	65·7	6·0	3·6	75·3
1986	78·8	7·7	3·9	90·4
1987	76·7	6·3	2·9	86·0
1988	76·1	5·5	2·1	83·8
1989	72·8	4·7	2·1	79·6
1990	66·0	4·6	2·3	72·9
1991	68·0	3·0	2·4	73·4
1992	61·0	2·6	2·2	65·8
21993	46·6	2·0	1·9	50·5
1 Includes production from licensed deep mines.
2 Provisional figures.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will produce a table to show what proportion of United Kingdom exports, including services and invisibles, was exported to the rest of the EC single market in each of the last 10 years and a similar table in respect of each of the last 12 months.

[holding answer 22 February 1994]: Information for 1982 to 1992 is given in the table. A breakdown of invisible exports to other EC countries is only available annually. Information for 1993 is not yet available.

Credits on United Kingdom transactions with the EC as a proportion of total credits on the current account of the balance of payments.
Year	Per cent.
1982	36·1
1983	37·3
1984	37·2
1985	38·1
1986	37·8
1987	38·5
1988	38·5
1989	38·6
1990	41·1
1991	44·1
1992	45·5

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals there were against invalidity benefit being removed in (a) Lewisham and (b) London in 1993.

This is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, from data taken from the annual statistical inquiry in 1991, 1992 and 1993, how many households in Tower Hamlets are having weekly deductions made from their income support as appropriate, for (a) electricity and (b) gas of (i) under £2 per week and (ii) in each £1 band above £2 per week up to £40 per week.

The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claiming income support at the Ilford office of the Benefits Agency in 1992 and 1993 were refused benefit by an adjudication officer; how many appealed; how many of those who appealed subsequently had their claim for income support allowed; and how many of those concerned had children.

The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many objections have been made to the Child Support Agency over its investigations into the arrangement of maintenance (a) where a court order for maintenance was already in operation and (b) where the agency proposed the setting up of maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the number of married women who revoke the election to pay reduced rate contributions in the latter years of their working life, in the belief that there may be some significant gain, yet still have to rely on category B retirement pension or an addition paid to their husband;(2) how many of women claiming a category B retirement pension in each of the last five years had revoked their election to pay reduced contributions either five, four, three, two or one year before retiring; and if he will estimate the value of the contributions they paid;(3) in how many cases an adult dependant addition paid with invalidity benefit has been adjusted to take account of a category A retirement pension which is being paid to a wife who revoked her election to pay reduced contributions within five years before retiring; and what is the value of contributions paid by these married women.

This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he has issued to the Contributions Agency and the Benefits Agency concerning advice to be given to women considering revoking the election to pay reduced contributions in the latter years of their working life; and what reference is made to the impact which the husband's benefit circumstances may have on the financial benefits available.

It is open to any person, including women who have elected to pay reduced rate contributions, to request information about their contribution record or a forecast of the expected state retirement pension from the Benefits Agency. If a women has elected to pay reduced rate contributions, the pension forecast will tell her that if she wishes to improve her benefit position by paying more years of full contributions, she will have to cancel her election to pay reduced rate contributions. From then on, she would be able to pay contributions which do count towards retirement pension, subject always to her achieving a minimum entitlement of 25 per cent.If a women seeks advice about the advantages of cancelling her election, Contributions Agency staff have instructions to recommend she obtains a pension forecast. They will also give her as much information as she wants about her national insurance position but without influencing her decision in any way. Taking account of her own circumstances, a women should decide for herself whether to keep or cancel her election.If approached, the CA will suggest that she bears the following points in mind:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People has received from Nicole Davoud in relation to the disability working allowance; what reply he is sending; what action he will take; and if he will make a statement.

I have recently received representations from Mrs. Davoud and will be replying in the next few days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the total amount of money allocated to each benefit office in Liverpool for 1993–94 that is so far unclaimed for (a) family credit and (b) disability working allowance; and how many people he estimates are failing to take up their entitlement to the above benefits of each such benefit office;(2) what is the total amount of money allocated to each benefit office in Liverpool for 1993–94 for

The information is not available. Benefit expenditure on family credit and disability working allowance is not planned or allocated on a regional basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what progress has been made by the health intelligence unit, in collaboration with district health authorities and family health service authorities, to develop measures of consumer satisfaction with dental services;(2) whether a baseline has been determined in 1993 for the purpose of assessing progress on the reduction in the proportion of 12-year-old children who have sustained dental injuries; and whether definitive criteria for this baseline have been published;(3) which family health service authorities and district health authorities

All health authorities and family health services authorities in Wales have developed action plans to improve the health of their local population by the turn of the century. These are currently being assessed by the Department.The development of the local strategies for oral health has been guided by the advice issued by the Welsh health planning forum in November 1992. Responsibility for establishing the necessary baseline information and measuring progress towards locally set targets, including those relating to patient satisfaction, rests mainly with health authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress was made during 1993 on achieving the service targets for the proportion of the population registered for capitation for dental purposes in the nought to two years age group; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows:

	1992 Per cent.	Position as at 30 September 19931
Percentage of 0 to 2-year-olds in Wales registered with a dentist	17·0	21·0
1 Latest date for which information is available from the Dental Practices Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made by the Welsh Office over the past two years in establishing a framework to encourage primary care dental practitioners to become involved in clinical audit; and if he will make a statement.

Last October, the Department announced its plans for developing clinical audit in Wales. An important part is the proposal to appoint a dental audit adviser whose first task would be 'to strengthen the present arrangements for dental audit and their integration with audit spanning a range of related professional groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) of 3 February, Official Report, column 865, if he will list the 17 local authorities in Wales that registered representations on THORP; and if he will indicate those in favour and those against.

The 17 Welsh authorities were Clwyd, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan county councils; Ceredigion district council, Colwyn borough council, Isle of Anglesey borough council, Llanelli borough council, Meirionnydd district council, Pembrokeshire district council, Port Talbot borough council, Radnor district council, Rhuddlan borough council, Swansea city council, Taff Ely borough council, and Wrexham Maelor borough council.All submitted representations against THORP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each district council and county council and in total for Wales as a whole in constant prices (a) the estimated actual spending for 1993–94 net of community care, (b) the standard spending assessments for 1994–95 net of community care, (c) the amounts by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a) and (d) the percentage by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a); and if he will make a statement.

Standard spending assessments net of provision for care in the community are given in the table. Budgeted revenue expenditure information on community care is not collected centrally, and comparisons with 1993–94 spending levels cannot be provided.

Standard spending assessments for 1994–95, net of care in the community
£000
	1994–95 SSAs1
Alyn and Deeside	10,125
Colwyn	8,253
Delyn	9,262
Glyndwr	5,501
Rhuddlan	8,717
Wrexham Maelor	16,372
Carmarthen	7,762
Ceredigion	9,979

	1994–95 SSAs1
Dinefwr	5,866
Llanelli	12,868
Preseli Pembrokeshire	11,273
South Pembrokeshire	7,740
Blaenau Gwent	15,185
Islwyn	11,534
Monmouth	9,765
Newport	22,472
Torfaen	13,702
Aberconwy	8,740
Arfon	9,826
Dwyfor	5,996
Meirionnydd	6,068
Ynys Mon	11,248
Cynon Valley	13,374
Merthyr Tydfil	12,226
Ogwr	20,598
Rhondda	17,746
Rhymney Valley	15,882
Taff Ely	14,644
Brecknock	6,257
Montgomeryshire	7,132
Radnorshire	3,283
Cardiff	45,765
Vale of Glamorgan	15,257
Port Talbot	8,896
Lliw Valley	8,827
Neath	10,148
Swansea	32,781
Clwyd	265,919
Dyfed	242,614
Gwent	294,362
Gwynedd	161,038
Mid Glamorgan	375,273
Powys	90,024
South Glamorgan	269,937
West Glamorgan	243,519
Total Districts	461,071
Total Counties	1,942,687
Total Wales	2,403,758
1 Excludes £86 million of county SSA for care in the community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each district council and county council and in total for Wales as a whole in constant prices (a) the estimated actual spending for 1993–94, (b) the standard spending assessments for 1994–95, (c) the amounts by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a) and (d) the percentage by which (b) exceeds or falls short of (a); and if he will make a statement.

Information on 1993–94 revenue expenditure budgets and 1994–95 standard spending assessments is given in the table. Outturn expenditure information for 1993–94 is not yet available. Budgeted expenditure includes spending financed through the use of reserves and spending above SSAs within capping limits and is not directly comparable with SSAs. The 1993–94 budgets have been inflated by 4 per cent.—the 1994–95 GDP deflator. This does not necessarily reflect the changes in the costs of local authority services between the two years.